World Grand Prix snooker: Shaun Murphy claims impressive whitewash victory over John Higgins to reach last 16

Shaun Murphy put on an emphatic display and secured a 4-0 victory over John Higgins to reach the last 16 of the World Grand Prix.

The Englishman only needed 41 minutes to came away victorious to secure his first win over Higgins in 11 years at the Morningside Arena in Leicester.

Murphy enjoyed 99% positional success as Higgins barely had any time on the table to find any rhythm.

‘The Magician’ started off the match with a break of 145 – the joint highest break in the history of the World Grand Prix.

“It’s such a stupid game isn’t it,” he told ITV after the match. “I haven’t tried any harder because it’s John Higgins, just all the things connected.

“My long game was good, my safety was good and when I got in, I was clinical. Against one of the Class of ’92, particularly John who I regard so highly as a player, the equation is simple: ‘You either play like that or you lose.”‘

After Murphy quickly cruised into a 2-0 lead, Higgins decided to come onto the table to find some rhythm and made a break of 52.

The Englishman then wrapped up the remaining two frames in quick succession to complete the whitewash victory over Higgins.

When asked if he knew he had matched Judd Trump’s record of the highest break at the tournament, Murphy replied: “I didn’t know that, it was nice. I’m in good company.”

He added: “I think in snooker you’re so dependent on what your opponent does, it’s unlike any sport in that regard.

“A couple of those long pots that John missed threw me straight in the balls, if they go in it’s a different matter. If a couple of the long pots I go for don’t go in, it’s a different matter. Everyone’s capable of scoring once they get in, it’s just who gets in first and today it was me.”

Murphy’s last World Grand Prix title came in 2016 and he reached the semi-finals last year but came up short against eventual winner Trump.